Page 62 of The Secret Mistletoe Promise
‘We’re not rehearsing in Mistingham Manor,’ Fiona said with exaggerated patience, ‘because Harry and Sophie are still on honeymoon, and I’m not going to be responsible for all of you being there while they’re not. My stress levels and Public Liability Insurance couldn’t take it. Dexter and Imogen, unless your scene involves a very public display of affection, I want you to keep your hands off each other this afternoon, understood?’
Imogen had been about to ruffle the tiny curls at Dexter’s nape, but she dropped her arm like she’d been scalded. All eyes in the room turned to them.
Dexter kept his gaze on the floor, but raised a hand in acknowledgement.
‘Dexter’s fallen for the runaway bride!’ Frank Carsdale chortled.
‘I’ve stopped running,’ Imogen said, which was perhaps not the wisest response because it elicited a lot of gasps. ‘You know, for the moment.’
‘You’re staying here?’ This was Mary, Winnie’s sister. Winnie eschewed anything to do with public performance, and had agreed to man the hotel while her sister got involved in the Christmas plays. They’d organized a rota of staff to cover the ice rink too, because Harry had asked them long before he’d let anyone else know it was happening, and with so much going on Imogen was glad she was helping at the community hub – starting tomorrow. Right now, though, she was facing an inquisition.
‘I don’t know yet.’ She fiddled with her hair, wishingsomeone would take the attention away from her. Then she realized she could do it herself. ‘I’m figuring things out, but I really like it here, and I especially like that I get to be part of this. I can’t wait to see what everyone’s doing.’ She caught Fiona’s eye.
‘Yes, of course,’ Fiona said. ‘We should get going. I’ve put together a proposed running order, but like everything, this is just a first stab. We can decide the best order between us.’ She circulated sheets of paper to the assembled players, and soon everyone was talking over each other, about how they needed to start with something funny, that there were a lot of classics and was anyone going to sing carols to liven things up a bit?
‘I’m sorry,’ Imogen whispered in Dexter’s ear. Even that seemed too intimate, but she didn’t want anyone to overhear. ‘What for?’ He stayed facing ahead, but he stroked his finger down the back of her hand.
‘For saying that I’ve stopped running, that it’s—’
‘Don’t worry. Honestly.’
‘OK. You know we’re going to be terrible, right?’
‘We can tell Fiona our only rehearsal so far was interrupted by a trapped pigeon.’
Imogen wrinkled her nose. ‘You don’t think she’ll think that’s a euphemism?’
‘How would that be a euphemism?’
‘I don’t—’
‘Right!’ Fiona shouted. ‘Let’s come back to the running order later. The other thing we need is a name. Festive plays, Christmas Scenes? It’s getting close and we need to be consistent when we promote it.’
‘Mistletoe Moments?’ Gerry suggested.
Valerie crossed her arms and muttered, ‘Haven’t we had enough of that stuff?’
‘Christmas Crackers!’ someone else shouted.
‘Festive Fables?’
The suggestions flew around the room, each one more ridiculous than the last, and Imogen could see Fiona getting irritated. She glanced at Dexter and had a sudden flash of inspiration. ‘How about the Snow Show?’ she suggested.
‘Oooh.’ Jazz’s eyes widened.
‘We’re doing this because of the bad weather,’ Imogen went on, ‘and there’s meant to be a snowstorm, so …’
‘I think that’s an excellent name.’ Dexter grinned at her.
‘Perfect. Well done, Imogen.’ Fiona clasped her hands. ‘The Snow Show it is. Now we need to rehearse. Once you’ve performed in front of all the other players, you’ll be less nervous. Frank and Valerie, do you want to go first, with your scene from …’ she scanned down the page, ‘A Christmas Carol?’
‘They’ve totally stolen that from our storytelling sessions!’ Jazz said, from Imogen’s other side.
‘They were going to do something music hall,’ May added, from right behind her, and Imogen wondered if she and Jazz had heard her whispered conversation with Dexter.
‘Somebodysaid the music hall number was too bawdy,’ Valerie said.
‘I bet this’ll be entertaining too.’
